a. Masticate all standing understory brush species (alive or dead) greater than 2 feet in height and 0.25 inches in diameter. b. Masticate sub merchantable trees ≤ 7.9 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) to 75 trees per acre (TPA). Refer to the following guidelines (i - v) to achieve the desired conditions. Trees ≥ 8” DBH are not to be masticated. i. Leave tree species preference are as follows: PP, DF, ES, LP, SAF, GF. Retain all aspen and western larch. ii. Sub merchantable trees to be removed will be trees of poor form and vigor, including trees damaged by equipment and/or infected by disease or insects. iii. Leave trees shall be dominant and display desirable characteristics such as straight form, full crown and good health (free of insect and disease). iv. Retain small groups of 2 - 3 trees. Groups shall be identified only when multiple sub merchantable trees display desirable characteristics and spacing (2 - 6 feet between boles). Spacing between groups or individual trees shall not be less than 30 feet. v. All sub merchantable tree species shall be masticated if they occur within the dripline or are within 20 feet from the bole of a live tree (≥ 8 inches DBH), whichever is greater. c. Stumps and stobs created from severing will be less than 6 inches in height above the ground. d. Treat all existing dead and down concentrations of limbs and tops. Hazard trees up to 12 inches DBH that are partially suspended or supported by another tree should be manipulated to be resting flat on the ground where it is practical without causing excessive damage to leave trees. Remove limbs greater than one foot in length from existing downed trees and reduce to the size of the woody debris specifications listed below. e. Size of woody debris or “chips” upon completion of the project shall not exceed three inches in diameter and 2 feet in length. Average depth of the debris across the project area shall not exceed three inches with a maximum depth of six inches in isolated locations where dense vegetation exists.
